Proper hook size for stripers and halibut

A good all purpose hook for halibut and stripper fishing with live bait are the owner mosquito hooks. They are designed for freshwater so they don’t last long in the salt but I like them a lot for anchovies and shiners. Thin wire means longer lasting bait and they are plenty strong for any strippers or halibut if your drag isn’t too tight.

For bigger baits like sardines, mackerel or large smelt I will use an owner or gamakatsu octopus hook and a small treble stinger.

Match your hook size to the bait you are using but I will use a #1 mosquito for small anchovies, a 2/0 mosquito for large anchovies and shiner perch on up to a 3/0-5/0 for a large mackerel.

You can set with octopus hooks but it’s good to let the halibut eat a little before you do and don’t yank too hard even then. It’s easy to rip a bait out of their mouths and end up with nothing but a story and a raked bait.

-Eliot

Thank you everyone! I’ve purchased 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 baitholder hooks.